The New X-MEN Movie Just Lost Its Director

A big shake-up as Matthew Vaughn has decided not to direct X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST, the sequel to 2011’s X-MEN: FIRST CLASS.

Vaughn directed X-MEN: FIRST CLASS as well as other comic-based projects KICK-ASS and STARDUST. He wrote a treatment for the sequel with Jane Goldman (THE DEBT, THE WOMAN IN BLACK) and Simon Kinberg (MR. & MRS. SMITH, SHERLOCK HOLMES) taking a shot at the final script.

The story is based on a classic arc from the comic book. In it, Kitty Pryde learns that she must save mutankind from a crucial moment in history that will result in future mutants being rounded up in internment camps and persecuted. The United States is ruled by the giant robotic Sentinels which hunt down, imprison and often kill anyone classified as a mutant. Pryde must stop Mystique and the Brotherhood from assassinating Sen. Robert Kelly to prevent this from happening.

Since the original story features characters either not in the X-MEN: FIRST CLASS line-up, or already established elsewhere in the X-MEN films, one assumes there will be changes made in order to fit the current situation.

The exit of Vaughn has been leading to a lot of industry speculation over who will take his place. Deadline suggests that 20th Century Fox could try to bring Bryan Singer back into the fold. Singer directed the first two X-MEN films, opting out of the third to direct SUPERMAN RETURNS instead. Fox assigned Brett Ratner to direct the third film, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND. Singer is already a producer on the FIRST CLASS films. Regardless, no one expects this to be a difficult vacancy to fill.

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbinder and Jennifer Lawrence are set to return for X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. The film is currently slated for release on July 18, 2014.